Free Imagine Blogs

It's funny how the DC Universe changes. And I don't mean the structure of it. I mean the way in which certain characters rise and fall in prominence. Sure, some characters stay nearly constant (Batman, Superman, etc.), but others wax and wane as the years go by. Some disappear and aren't seen for years. Others burst onto the stage, either old reinvigorated or new entirely.

To me, the most fascinating rise of such a character in recent years is most definitely Black Adam. Isn't it funny how a one shot villain of Captain Marvel's from the Golden Age -- someone who turned to dust at the end of his first appearance -- has arguably become more central to the DCU than Captain Marvel himself? It's been a long, strange journey for Black Adam. But it's brought him to the forefront of the DC Universe.

Though Black Adam made a few appearances in the seventies and the early nineties, it wasn't until he showed up in the Geoff Johns/David Goyer JSA that he started to rise to prominence. As the legend goes, the writers were looking for someone with the power to take on the JSA single-handedly. They found it in Black Adam. He fit the bill perfectly, because at the time, he was little more than his powers.

But as the series went on, Black Adam popped up again and again. He started to become more than his powers. He joined the team, then turned against it. He went from being a one note bad guy to a strange -- and strangely fascinating -- character. He came to rule a country, then sided with the Society. Black Adam played a role in Infinite Crisis, then 52, and now Countdown. He's got a mini-series coming up.

Whatever you think about the character and the journey he's made, it can't be denied that his rise to fame has been nothing short of astonishing. It just goes to show that any character -- in the right hands -- can be elevated to a position of importance. Every character has potential. It just takes the right writer -- or writers -- to bring it out.

Let's hope DC doesn't forget that.

I intended to write a post emphasizing my reactions to Countdown tonight. But seeing as I want to hold off on a spoiler heavy post (to give those haven't read it a chance to do so) I'd instead like to take tonight to send a message out to guys like this: stop being so damned smug!

I get it. You've been reading comics longer than I've been alive. So what? That doesn't mean you're better than me. That doesn't mean you're a better comic fan than I am.

My problem with articles like that aren't that they're celebrating the return of the multiverse. I expect that (though I still don't enjoy them). What annoys me to no end is how some people get so smug over it. It's the superiority thing that bothers me. The sense some have that "my opinion is correct and since yours is different from mine you have to be an idiot."

It's the "you think the multiverse is confusing? Must be because you're too stupid to figure it out. I never had a problem with it." and the "Of course DC is listening to me. I'm right." Though you may note that these are a variation on a theme.

Most people I talk to who are happy the multiverse is back are pleasant. Even if they know I don't like it, they don't rub it in my face. But there are those who aren't content with being happy that it's back -- they have to belittle those of us who do not like it. Because whatever reason we may have is "stupid."

I grew up with the post-Crisis DCU. I'm young, and I'll make no apologies for that thank-you-very-much. But just because I wasn't around in the "good old days" doesn't mean that my opinions are worthless. Or stupid. Or necessarily wrong. Just like the opinions of older fans aren't necessarily worthless, stupid, or wrong.

But I get the sense that these same people aren't going to be happy about this new multiverse once they find out it's not exactly like the old one. I'm willing to give this a try precisely because it's not a leap backwards. It's a leap forward to something new. The old multiverse hasn't been brought back -- a new one has been created. And as Countdown shows, the old rules do not apply.

So while I sit and watch, some fans will no doubt start to rant and scream anew that they've haven't gotten back exactly what they had thirty years ago. And to them, I say this:

Get over it.

Where's my Super-Chief?

It wasn't that long that I was lamenting the loss of Super-Chief. But I didn't let myself despair. Because the writers and editors of 52 swore that we hadn't seen the last of the Manitou Stone.

But earlier this week, while glancing at a gallery of 52 covers, it all came back to me. We haven't seen the Manitou Stone or Super-Chief since that fateful day. And I, for one, am pissed.

C'mon, DC. How can you let such a great character concept slip through your fingers? That brilliant costume! Those cool powers! ("The speed of a thousand deer... The strength of a thousand bears!") How can you just let him disappear, never to be seen again?

I won't stand for it, DC! Am I the only one who wants to see the fantastic Super-Chief again? Don't tell me I'm the only one. Don't let me be alone in this.

This is a cold, irrefutable fact. Do you really think you're better than Aquaman? Are the following true for you?

• You can threaten ageless sea deities of unfathomable power -- with a smile!
  
• You nonchalantly brush off the fact that you're about to become "the vessel of power strange, ancient, and terrible."
• You don't just look good in orange and green -- you look damn good.
• You can handle the bones of you own severed hand without getting even a little squeamish.
• You are "Best Friends Forever" with the one and only Martian Manhunter.
• You routinely raise sunken cities from the depths of the sea through sheer force of will.
  
• You "will not... Fail."

Is all of that true? If not, Aquaman is better than you.

Where is Black Adam?

Of course, in once sense we know exactly where he is. He's tearing up the pages of 52, and he's about to start World War III. But we all know that that was a year ago. Where's he been since?

I'm sure we'll be finding out. There's no question of that. But I like to speculate now. So what do we know now?

We know that Black Adam has committed a terrible crime. He slaughtered an entire country -- killing millions. We know that he did/will start a World War, most assuredly killing thousands -- if not millions -- more. So the easy answer would be: he's dead.

But that's too easy. If there's one thing I've learned about Geoff Johns it's that her rarely ever kills characters he likes (unless there are legal issues involved). And Geoff Johns has made very clear that he likes Black Adam. A lot.

Plus, there have been whisperings of a possible Black Adam series (or mini-series) following the end of 52. So where exactly is Black Adam?

I think the answer came in a brief "throwaway" like in an earlier issue of 52 (noting, of course, that nothing in 52 is a throwaway). During a confrontation between Captain Marvel and Black Adam, Marvel briefly mentions that Black Adam needs to tone it down or some such. And if he doesn't, he'll imprison him in the "Rock of Finality."

As far as I'm aware, that's the first (and only time) such a Rock has been mentioned. My guess is that Black Adam is there, serving a penance for his crimes. Whether he is there willingly or not, I cannot say.

But I do know this: he won't stay there for long. Finality ain't forever, after all...

Wow. I go away for about a week (my family was visiting from the States) and suddenly the blog goes all confrontational. It appears that Doctor Polaris had gotten into a bit of a spat with 52's Doctor Tyme. This can't possibly end well.

In other news, new comics tomorrow! Which hopefully means actual posting from me on comic related topics! I can't wait!

Why do you not return my calls, Chang Tzu?

When it became known to me that you were populating a sinister island with the greatest minds in scientific evil I knew that you would want me. I am the man who has engineered thousands of magnetic-related crimes. I am the man who through sheer force of intellect granted himself astonishing super powers!

And yet, you did not call me. Thinking this to be a simple oversight (my number is unlisted, after all) I immediately called your island. I proceeded to leave a message with one of your Intergang flunkies. Then I left a dozen more. You have yet to respond.

I know that I am no Thomas Oscar Morrow. I am not deluded about my abilities. But I do know that my scientific brilliance dwarfs the likes of "Doctor" Tyme, Baron Bug, and Ira Quimby.

If I do not receive a call in the next seventy-two hours, you will force me to take action. My good friend Half has already agreed to help me if it comes to that. We will use his ship's mighty arsenal to assail your island with doom.

You have been warned.

I find the whole "DiDio has a vendetta against the Giffen Justice League" idea a little silly. I mean, has anyone actually taken a good hard look at what most of the characters are doing now? Sure, some of them are dead. But how did the end up that way?

Sue Dibny: Was murdered by Ray Palmer's nutty ex-wife.

Ralph Dibny: Was a major player in the biggest DC event ever. Went out with one hell of a bang, outsmarting the freakin' Devil in the process. Well played, Mr. Dibny.

Blue Beete: Was shot in the head by Max Lord, which kicked off the countdown to Infinite Crisis.

Max Lord: Shot Blue Beetle in the head, then got his head twisted around by Wonder Woman.

Guy Gardner: Is currently headlining an ongoing series.

Booster God: Is a major player in the biggest DC event ever. Is slated to headline an ongoing series after that event comes to a close.

Fire: Is a major supporting character in an ongoing series.

Captain Atom: Is shaping up to be an extremely pivotal character in the things that DC has planned.

Martian Manhunter: Just wrapped up a solo miniseries.

Batman: Is still the goddamn Batman.

So yeah, it seems to me that the vast majority of the Giffen League is making out pretty well. I mean, they're getting more play now than they were before Dan DiDio started running the show.

Am I forgetting anyone?

Am I the only one out there who doesn't particularly care for the Great Ten? I mean, they're interesting enough I suppose, but the news that they're getting a series (a mini, I assume) leaves me cold. Very cold.

The idea, I think, is superb. There need to be more than simply American super-heroes. And when there are international super-heroes they need to be better than token characters based on American stereotypes about that country. So I'm all for the idea of the Great Ten.

But there's something about them that makes me leery. It's as if they tried too hard to make them "cool." And it seems to me that they worked really hard to make them "Chinese." And for some reason it seems vaguely offensive to me. I mean, I'm not Chinese, so I've got no leg to stand on here. But they just seem a little over the top.

And of course, there's the fact that the Great Ten are a government sponsored super-team. Which is all well and good. Many countries have them, after all. But these characters are still lapdogs for a brutal authoritarian regime. And the fact that they're getting their own series makes me a little unsettles me (I don't recall any Soviet super-team ever getting themselves a mini-series).

Of course, in the end, this is just me being stupid. I'm sure all you readers out there can poke holes in what I'm saying. But like others, I sometimes hold on tightly to ideas and opinions even though I know they're insane.

And I do not like the Great Ten.

And so it begins. Black Adam -- one of the world's most powerful meta-humans -- has gone beyond the brink. In less than two days Black Adam has destroyed an entire country. He has slain millions of innocents. And it's only going to get worse.

His next stop is Oolong Island. And though some of the inhabitants there show fear -- the man after them has the power of six gods, after all -- one of them seems to be gleefully anticipating the showdown. Indeed, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana seems to relish in the coming showdown. And though he is known for grandiose posturing, he's not stupid, either.

Bruno Mannheim doesn't seem particularly concerned, either. Which means there is more to Intergang's plans than there initially seemed. Would they really have engineered four Apokoliptian monstrosities simply for the right to pass smuggled guns through the Sinai Peninsula? No, there is more at work here…

Of course, we know how this all ends. It ends with World War III. We've already seen forces beginning to mobilize, but things haven't quite yet hit their apex. What will Black Adam do to finally set things off? What will happen next week when he directs his rage at the inhabitants of Oolong Island?

Whatever happens, it won't be pretty.

I am an unabashed DC fanboy. I make no excuses. I make no apologies. I don't care that the other comic readers I work with (100% of whom read pretty much nothing but Marvel) make fun of me. None of that matters to me.

So of course I am totally geeking out over DC's upcoming Countdown. 52, at its mildest could be called a success. And DC's trying to repeat it. Who knows if it'll work? I just know that -- despite my hesitations before the official announcement -- I'm on board for another year.

I love covers with dozens of heroes flying towards the viewer. I love giant fights and over the top explosion. I love monologuing villains. I love comics that take themselves seriously and I love comics that don't. I love it all.

And I have a feeling that DC's going to give me all of that and more in Countdown. Darkseid! Mary Marvel! JIMMY freakin' OLSEN! It's all going to be there, and I can't wait for 52 to end. Here's to another wild and crazy year.

(Oh, and Batgirl is on the cover, too! Woot.)